Prince turns William Tell as he laughs off marriage reports while taking aim in Wales

23 FEBRUARY 2010

Seven years after Prince William first began dating Kate Middleton, royal watchers continue to eagerly await news of their engagement and the couple's wedding, which promises to be the biggest event of the year.

With that in mind, one man decided to get in early and cheekily asked the prince for an invitation to his future marriage when the pair met at a rehabilitation centre in Wales.

William, who is no doubt used to questions about his wedding plans, met serviceman Simon Brown - who was blinded in action - during a visit to the St Dunstan's Centre in Llandudno.

After the prince commented on the soldier's "very patriotic" glass eye, which is emblazoned with a Union Jack, 31-year-old Simon - pictured - joked: "Well I'm trying to get an invite to your wedding."

"Oh you'll have to wait a while yet," laughed good-natured William in response.

During his visit to the centre, the 27-year-old royal followed in the footsteps of his namesake William Tell, and tried his hand at archery – an activity made all the more difficult since he was blindfolded to simulate sight loss.

Standing 25 yards from his target and using a right-handed bow – the prince is left-handed – Prince Charles' son took aim but all his shots missed the mark.

"It's hard enough when you can see, let alone when you can't…oh this is going to be embarrassing," William said before his attempts.

Even with his blindfold removed, he was unable to hit the target.

"Right that's it. Still missed. I can't even hit it when I can see," joked William.